The Our Father

[ThomasPeter]

i have heard a lot on holding hands during the our father.... sadly it has been broken up between many posts and things i have heard on EWTN. mosdtly i have heard it is "ok" but kind of looked down on. why is this. i have always held hands, but now that i have heard negitive things on that, i have begun to rethink it. today at mass when we said it, and held hands, i, for the 1st time, felt that it might be detracting. i know enough to know that "feelings" cant alwatys be trusted for moral or ecclesial truths.... so whats the church's stance on it, if any, and why? thanks
tom

[Pio Nono]

JMJ
5/28 - Seventh Friday of Easter

ThomasPeter,

I don't know whether the Church officially discourages holding hands during the Our Father, but no one should be forced to do it. The only thing that might be said is that holding hands has never been a posture of prayer; the "orans" position (holding your hands out) and the traditional posture are both very ancient ways of positioning the body while praying. Holding hands is more modern and has none of the symbolism that the other ways have. Again, though, I don't know if it is officially looked down upon; however, hand-holding has never been a posture of prayer in any faith tradition that I'm aware of. Hope this helps.

Yours,
Pio Nono